Method and apparatus for controlling sessions from one or more devices

Abstract

An apparatus and mechanism to manage multi-modal real-time or quasi real-time sessions such as voice, video, instant messaging, or web-conferencing across multiple devices through a simple subscription to a session management service. A user can subscribe to the service from many devices (e.g. mobile device, desk phone, personal computer, internet appliance, internet TV, communication terminal, etc.) and through the service seamlessly move sessions back and forth between subscribed devices. In a preferred embodiment, a user utilizes a “virtual slider” in a simple “two touch” procedure to effectuate the movement of a communication session from one device to another device via the service.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method for managing real-time communication sessions, comprising:
 causing a user interface to display a first indicator identifying a first communications device as currently being used for an active communication session between a user and at least one participant;   causing the user interface to display a second indicator identifying a second communications device as being in proximity to the first communications device;   receiving via the user interface an input selecting the second indicator; and   in response to receiving the input, causing to move the active communication session between the user and the at least one participant from the first communications device to the second communications device.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising: in response to receiving the input, causing the first indicator to show that the second communications device is currently used for the active communication session. 
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the second communications device is configured to periodically send location data to at least one server, and a determination that the second communications device is in proximity to the first communications device is based on the location data. 
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 3 , wherein the location data is based on a wireless access point, an Internet Protocol (IP) address, an IP subnet, a Global Positioning System (GPS) data, or a mobile service provider. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 in response to receiving the input, determining media capabilities of the second communication device; and   wherein causing to move the active communication session is based on the media capabilities of the second communication device.   
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein causing to move the active communication session comprises routing audio data, video data, or text data to the second communications device. 
     
     
         7 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising: determining that the second communications device is in proximity to the first communications device based on information received from at least one server about previously subscribed communications devices associated with the user. 
     
     
         8 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 7 , wherein a subscription of at least one of communications devices includes downloading a dedicated application. 
     
     
         9 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 causing the user interface to display a third indicator corresponding to a third communications device also located in proximity to the first communications device, wherein the received input includes selection of the second communications device.   
     
     
         10 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the first indicator is a first text that represents the first communications device and the second indicator is a second text that represents the second communications device. 
     
     
         11 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the first indicator is a first icon that represents the first communications device and the second indicator is a second icon that represents the second communications device. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 11 , wherein the input selecting the second communications device is provided by the user making a sliding motion on a display to cause a sliding of the first icon to the second icon, which indicates a request for moving the active communication session from the first communications device to the second communications device. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1  being implemented by the first communications device such that the user interface displays the first indicator and the second indicator of on a display of the first communications device, and the input is received by interacting with the display of the first communications device. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1  being implemented by the second communications device such that the user interface displays the first indicator and the second indicator of on a display of the second communications device, and the input is received by interacting with the display of the second communications device. 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory, computer-readable medium, storing instructions for managing real-time communication sessions that, when executed by a processor, cause:
 displaying a first indicator identifying a first communications device as currently being used for an active communication session between a user and at least one participant;   displaying a second indicator identifying a second communications device as being in proximity to the first communications device;   receiving an input selecting the second indicator; and   in response to receiving the input, causing to move the active communication session between the user and the at least one participant from the first communications device to the second communications device.   
     
     
         16 . A system for managing real-time communication sessions, comprising:
 a processor;   a memory operatively connected to the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause:   displaying a first indicator identifying a first communications device as currently being used for an active communication session between a user and at least one participant;   displaying, a second indicator identifying a second communications device as being in proximity to the first communications device;   receiving via the user interface an input selecting the second indicator; and   in response to receiving the input, causing to move the active communication session between the user and the at least one participant from the first communications device to the second communications device.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the memory stores further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause:
 in response to receiving the input, causing the first indicator to show that the second communications device is currently used for the active communication session.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the memory stores further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause:
 transmitting location data to at least one server.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the second communications device is one of a cellular phone, a mobile phone, a desktop phone, a computer, a mobile computer device, and a television. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 16 , where in the memory further storing further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause:
 in response to receiving the input, determining media capabilities of the second communications device; and   wherein causing to move the active communication session comprises routing transmission based on the media capabilities of the available device.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein causing to move the active communication session comprises routing audio data, video data, or text data to the second communications device.